Ethnopharmacology and the sustainable development of new plant-derived drugs

RESUMO

This paper presents a reflection based on the experience generated by fifteen years of studies on pharmacology and chemistry of medicinal plants, in a underdeveloped country, Brazil. Although the diversity of the Brazilian flora presents a remarkable opportunity towards the development of new medicinal products, there are only small natural products research groups. Strategies for pharmacological and chemical studies of medicinal plants investigated during this time, major difficulties and ways to bypass them are discussed. The ethnopharmacological approach adopted as a general method by our research team has given good results. Details of our experience in the way to develop new plant durgs are reviewed and updated.